community, Australia Day, City of Mandurah, Australia Day honours, Citizen of the Year, Mandurah Citizen of the Year, Rhys Williams, Ayesha Patterson, Mandurah

The City of Mandurah are calling for nominations for 2019’s Australia Day Community Citizen of the Year Awards. Each year on January 26, the city honours the unsung heroes of our community – people that give back but rarely look for the limelight. In 2019, there are four categories for recognition: Ayesha Patterson, who was blinded by a spider bite and has since been raising funds for Guide Dogs WA, was named as Youth Citizen of the Year in 2017. One of her initiatives was Dining in the Dark, which raised money for the cause. “For me the best thing about this award was that it raised awareness of the cause I am passionate about,” Ms Patterson said. “In concrete terms the award meant that more people knew about Dining in the Dark and ticket sales went up. “In fact we have a dinner on October 13 so check out my Dining in the Dark Mandurah Facebook page.” Read More: Mandurah Mayor Rhys Williams said Ms Patterson now sits on the city’s Access Advisory Group. “This is a win for the City and a win for Ayesha,”he said. “If you know anyone you think deserves to be nominated for Australia Day honors, then take the time to check out the website at citizenshipawards.com.au/nominate.”